Fremantle have held off a fast-finishing Carlton for a dogged seven-point victory on the Gold Coast to record their third successive victory.

The Dockers, in control for most of the match, led by 22 points early in the final term, before two goals from Carlton cut the deficit in half.

However, the Blues squandered two golden opportunities late in the game to hand Fremantle a 13.10 (88) to 11.15 (81) victory.

The win was also Fremantle's first on Queensland soil after eight losses to Brisbane at the Gabba.

Although Carlton refused to give in, Fremantle were well equipped to stop the flow largely thanks to an on-fire Aaron Sandilands, with Paul Hasleby and Matthew Pavlich also helping out in the midfield.

Carlton had plenty of the ball throughout the match, but were unable to convert possession into scores - their worst effort coming in the third quarter when they kicked six behinds for just one goal.

Brendan Fevola had a chance to atone for his last-second miss against Hawthorn last week midway through the last quarter with a leaping mark and resultant goal.

But it was to be his only contribution for the night after multiple spells on the bench after being well held by a dominant Chris Tarrant.

Carlton looked the goods from the opening buzzer but wasteful disposals saw them trail by 21 points midway through the second quarter.

Without the contribution of Jarrad Waite - who kicked three out of their four goals in the second term - Brett Ratten's side's night could have easily ended a lot earlier.

Fremantle had a 13-point lead at half-time, and threatened to run away with the game several times but were kept in check by a spirited Carlton led by skipper Chris Judd and Marc Murphy.

Jordan Russell had a chance to get the Blues within a point in the dying minutes, but his kick was touched off the boot.

Blues coach Ratten rued Carlton's missed chances - the second time in as many weeks a last-minute opportunity has gone begging.

But he denied Fevola was struggling with injury.

The full forward who ended up with just three kicks and two handballs, felt a twinge in his legs during pre-game warm-ups, Ratten said.

"I didn't think he was hampered, he showed when he was running he had zip, he just couldn't get off the leash," said Ratten.

Ratten blamed the loss on a simple over-use of the football.

"Our handball ratio to kicks in these conditions (where it is) getting dewy, we really paid a price for it.

"We didn't make the most of our opportunities going forward and right through to the third quarter, Fremantle had five scores from about six or seven inside-50s, so every time they went in there, they scored.

"That is a problem."

Fremantle coach Mark Harvey was keeping a lid on celebrations despite the Dockers' third consecutive win, which came after a special pep talk from surfing great Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew.

"We're not over-celebrating, we know where we are."

Fremantle will host Hawthorn in six days time, while Carlton meet the Pies on Saturday.

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